Snapshots: Boucher focusing on development, not changes

There has been no shortage of discussion about the Feb. 26th NHL trade deadline.

But coach Guy Boucher told reporters Tuesday before facing the New Jersey Devils at the Canadian Tire Centre he’s leaving whatever approach the club takes up to general manager Pierre Dorion.

Instead, Boucher is focused on working with the players he has here.

“Right now my job is to coach the guys that are in the lineup,” said Boucher. “That’s what I focus on right now. Pierre has got a lot on his plate, particularly with scouting. For me, it’s what I have now.

“I’m really focused on right now and developing who’s here and then Pierre is going to make the decisions after on where he wants to go. It’s a big picture, and not just a hockey picture, and that’s out of my realm.”

Boucher said Dorion consults him and wants input on how the moves made are going to impact the team.

“We always discuss players that we like and we don’t like,” said Boucher. “Pierre and I are really close. Since day one last year we’ve always discussed what we want and where we’re going.

“It’s clear right now we’ve got to take a detour to get back to where we want to go. We’re getting a lot of information on our players right now. We’re also excited that we’ve got a lot of good young guys coming. Will they be ready now, in a month, two years? Time will tell but we’re very enthusiastic.”

Two of the players Boucher indicated the organization is excited about are centre Colin White and defenceman Thomas Chabot. It was nice to see the latter set up White for his first NHL goal at 8:43 of the second to give the club a 4-1 lead.

NO FOCUS ON OLYMPICS

Matt Duchene is just fine with not going to the Olympics in Pyeongchang.

He has done enough moving around this season without heading overseas to suit up for Team Canada this month.

“I haven’t thought anything about it because of my craziness the last year. Everyday you’re met with a new challenge. That added into it would be crazy if I had the chance to go,” said Duchene. “I haven’t thought about it much. I’m sure the guys with their first chance at it are disappointed.”

Duchene, who won gold with Canada in 2014, plans to watch the Games when he gets a chance. He enjoyed Sochi but noted when you’re in the moment it’s not always fun because of the focus on trying to win gold.

“It was maybe the best experience of my entire life. It was so cool, I wish I had enjoyed it more,” said Duchene. “We were so dialed in and focused on trying to bring home gold for Canada, which is what we were expected to do, I think there’s times I didn’t take it in as a young guy.

“It’s an amazing experience and all those guys that get to go should just take it all in and enjoy it.”

OFF THE GLASS

Before leaving the ice Tuesday early with an undisclosed injury, winger Nate Thompson wasn’t in a great mood. He didn’t like the way a drill was being done and let his teammates know about. The Senators may be out of the playoffs but that doesn’t mean doing things at half-speed should be acceptable. The players have to hold themselves accountable as well …. Scouts from Calgary, Chicago, Dallas, Minny, Vegas, San Jose and the Rangers were at the rink. The Flames and Knights have been following the Senators a lot lately. Both teams are looking for help. The Flames interest in forward Zack Smith has been well documented and they may also like centre Jean-Gabriel Pageau … With the tip of the cap to TSN’s Brent Wallace, the Senators are missing 32% of their offence without Mark Stone, Derick Brassard, Bobby Ryan and Thompson. That’s 42 goals out of the lineup and the Senators have had issues scoring goals … After rookie Chabot got burned for the final goal Sunday in Montreal, it was a gaffe by veteran Dion Phaneuf that set up the opening goal by Travis Zajac at 1:57 of the first.

THE LAST WORDS

New Jersey winger Taylor Hall suited up for his 500th NHL game Tuesday. Drafted No. 1 overall by Edmonton in 2010, he was moved to the Devils for defenceman Adam Larsson in June, 2016. “I haven’t been in the playoffs, I haven’t been a part of a winning team like that,” Hall told reporters in the morning. “In that sense, I don’t feel like I’ve accomplished as much as I’ve wanted to in my first 500.” Hall made a clean hit on Alex Burrows in the second and the veteran winger wasn’t happy about it. Hall refused to engage with Burrows when he wanted to drop the gloves. Hall then scored on the power play with Burrows in the box … Called up when the Senators found out Thompson couldn’t go, winger Max McCormick, who has had a difficult time earning Boucher’s trust, was minus-1 with only 2:39 of ice time. McCormick and dropped the gloves in the second with Ben Lovejoy … Senators defenceman Chris Wideman, who was on skates Tuesday morning. sat in the broadcast booth with TSN’s Gord Miller for the second. Wideman, who is recovering from hamstring surgery, could play in the final two weeks of the season.

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